India is “seriously considering” starting talks for a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergei Aleinik declared during his two day visit to India. The remarks from the Belarusian Minister acquires significance as Belarus has been closely aligned with Russia even as President Vladimir Putin continues to push ahead with the military operation against Ukraine since February 2022.
“My counterpart confirmed that India is seriously considering starting negotiations on a free trade agreement. Of course, we agreed to maintain contacts on this issue,” Mr. Aleinik was quoted as saying by Belta, the State owned news organisation of Belarus.
The remarks of the Minister indicate deepening political will to strengthen economic relation between India and Belarus, which has been one of the key regional supporters of Russia in the backdrop of Ukraine-Russia conflict. In March 2023, Belarus, agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear weapons and in June last year, the weapons were stationed in Belarus, bringing them closer to the theatre of the Ukraine-Russia battle. As a close Russian strategic partner, several entities in Belarus have been subjected to tough western economic sanctions.
